Saw Palmetto Hair Loss

Saw palmetto is an herbal supplement extracted from the fruits of a dwarf palm tree native to the Southeastern part of America. Aboriginal Americans used the extract as an antiseptic, tonic, and expectorant for a myriad of health conditions, and was also used as food. It is because of its many great health benefits that saw palmetto is gaining in popularity today more than ever before.

Saw palmetto has been associated with the treatment of common conditions brought about by hormonal imbalances and disorders in the body, such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in women, and reducing an enlarged prostate in men. Although not life threatening in itself, benign prostatic hyperplasia is a worrying condition, especially because it comes with unpleasant side effects. Use of saw palmetto has been proven to help improve the condition.

Women have not been left behind when it comes to the benefits of saw palmetto. From treating acne, to conditions such as PCOS to hair loss and all conditions brought about by hormonal imbalances in the female body. Saw palmetto is also known for its great anti-inflammatory properties, help in the reduction of high blood pressure, and help assuaging pelvic pain, a condition commonly associated with men.

Another reason why saw palmetto has gained resurgence is probably because of the fact that it helps boost libido, stamina, and sperm production. In fact, this is what people used during the World War II to increase their sperm count.

Saw palmetto and hair re-growth are closely intertwined words. Note however that its level of efficacy in re-growing hair has been proven effective only when used in combination with other things, such as lifestyle changes to stop using harmful products like alcohol, excessive consumption of alcohol etc, and changing one’s dietary plans to nutrient and mineral packed foods.

Perhaps the main reason why saw palmetto is effective in delaying or preventing baldness, and perhaps boosting the re-growth of new strong hair, is because the herb is able to frustrate the works of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone mostly responsible for patterned baldness.

DHT is known as an androgen that compromises on the ability of the hair follicles to stimulate new growth. This it does by chocking off all efforts to grow new hair, thus leading to weakened hair shafts that lead to fall outs. This condition normally occurs to women who have high testosterone levels perhaps due to conditions such as a looming menopause or similar hormonal imbalances. The use of saw palmetto has however proven effective when it comes to lowering the levels of DHT being manufactured and absorbed by the hair follicles.

Today, Saw palmetto is available in form of herbal supplements. Care should however be taken when buying these supplements, as the purity and efficacy of the supplements may vary significantly from one manufacturer to another.